Fine Branded Corporate Gifts 
Card Wine Boxes
Wooden Wine Boxes
Leather Wine Boxes
Wine Hamper
Champagne Gifts
All Wine
Red Wine
White Wine
Rose Wine
Sparkling Wine
France
Spain
Rioja
Veneto
Business Anniversary Wine Gift
Christmas Wine Gifts
Corporate Wine Tasting
Company Events
What can I expect at a wine tasting?
< Blogs < What can I expect at a wine tasting?
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or curious to learn more about one of the world’s most popular alcoholic beverages, wine tasting is a fantastic way to try different wine types and flavours.
But it’s not just about the wine, it’s an exciting, educational experience best enjoyed with friends, family, and colleagues, creating lasting memories and deepening your appreciation for this beloved drink.
However, if you’ve never been wine tasting, you may not know what to expect or what protocols to follow.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a short guide that explains what wine tasting is, what you can expect, and how to make the most of your wine-tasting event.
What is wine tasting?
Although wine tasting is as old as the production of wine itself, modern wine tasting is typically separated into two categories:
Formal wine tasting – where a taster, such as a sommelier or retail buyer, follows a structured process to evaluate and score wine based on specific criteria.
Informal wine tasting – social events where you can get together to discover, enjoy, and purchase new wines.
Both types of wine tasting involve the sensory examination of wine to assess its suitability for sale or personal appreciation.
Ultimately, wine tasting is about exploring wine’s flavours, aromas and colours to discover which appeal to your taste.
What happens at a wine tasting?
Wine tasting involves sipping and savouring small quantities of various wines, including white, red, rose, champagne, port, cognac and more.
Often presented in a tasting flight, you’ll sample each wine and use your senses to understand and appreciate its distinctive appearance, scent, and taste.
Your sommelier or wine specialist will encourage you to start by looking at the wine’s colour and clarity before giving your glass a gentle swirl to release its aromas.
Once you’ve brought the glass to your nose to inhale and identify the scents, you’ll be invited to take a small sip to coat your palate and notice the wine’s taste and finish (how the wine lingers on your tongue after swallowing).
Your advocate may also invite you to jot down notes and discuss your impressions with others.
Wines are often paired with complementary foods to enhance your experience. Alternatively, you might be offered palate neutralizers such as bread and crackers to cleanse your palate between tastings.
Some wine tastings offer you a tour of the winery to learn about the winemaking process.
Whatever your experience, it’s important to relax, savour the flavours and enjoy a taste sensation.
Here are 9 tips to help you on your way.
Wine tasting tips
1 – Dress comfortably
While there’s typically no set dress code for wine tasting, wearing appropriate clothing can make all the difference to your wine-tasting experience.
Casual, informal attire allows easy movement and lets you focus on the wines without restriction. However, try to avoid dangling sleeves – you don’t want to knock over your glass.
Wear dark colours to help hide any unwanted spillages, and choose comfortable shoes appropriate for standing for extended periods. We recommend loafers for men and flats for women.
Your bag should ideally be cross-body so your hands are free.
Meanwhile, avoiding strong fragrances will prevent the scents from interfering with the wine-tasting experience for you and others.
2 – Stay hydrated
Drinking water is essential to wine tasting. Not only does it help cleanse your palate so you can enjoy every wine, but it also stops you from getting too thirsty or dehydrated.
Getting caught up in the delicious flavours is easy, but plenty of H2O is the way to go!
3 – Have a bite to eat
Make sure to have a meal or snack before your wine-tasting experience. While it may be tempting to get stuck straight into the wine, having food in your stomach will help absorb the alcohol and keep you from getting tipsy too early.
Eating a big meal isn’t necessary – something light will suffice – especially if the tasting session offers food that complements the wines they’re offering.
4 – Engage your senses
There’s more to wine tasting than what happens in the mouth. This multisensory experience involves your eyes and nose to equal effect.
Start by using your sight to observe the wine’s colour and clarity before inhaling deeply to identify the stunning scents as you swirl the glass.
Finally, let the first sip coat your palate and pay attention to the flavours and textures.
Be careful not to rush – savour the complexities of each wine by fully engaging your senses.
5 – Interact with your host
Whether a qualified sommelier or a trained representative, your host will be knowledgeable and passionate about wines.
Don’t miss the chance to ask questions about the wines you’re tasting, the winemaking process, and their personal recommendations.
Engaging with your host will deepen your understanding and teach you more about the wines and their unique stories.
6 – Know your limits
We all have limits when it comes to alcohol consumption.
Pace yourself, watch how much you’re drinking, and remember that the idea is to enjoy the flavours and nuances of the wines, not to get drunk.
Slow down and consider skipping a tasting or two if you start to feel tipsy.
Knowing your limits ensures a safe and enjoyable session for you and your fellow tasters.
7 – Invite a designated driver
As highlighted in the previous tip, wine tasting can leave you impaired. If you plan to sample various wines, inviting a designated driver to get you and your group home safely is crucial.
Alternatively, book a taxi service or overnight accommodation so you can enjoy your tasting adventure responsibly and worry-free.
8 – Buy your favourites
Most wineries or wine-tasting experiences let you buy wines directly from their tasting rooms.
So, if you discover a wine you’d love to enjoy at home, you can buy it there and then, often at a discounted price.
If you’d prefer not to carry bottles, ask about shipping your wine to your doorstep.
9 – Relax and have fun
Wine tasting is an opportunity to unwind and create memories with friends, family and colleagues.
So laugh, engage, and enjoy the pleasure of good company and exceptional wines.
Book Your Corporate Wine Tasting Now
Jean Juviniere offers business wine tasting in the convenience of your office to explore and taste some of the best exclusive, imported fine wines and review our personalised corporate gift ideas.
The tasting consists of up to 10 wines to taste and includes a free bottle in a branded case with your company logo personalised in full colour.
Tastings are for a maximum of 8 people.
Contact Steve on 07787 746 632 or Claire on 07748 604 923 to book your own personal tasting or email sales@jeanjuviniere.com
